A proper Weather Pack crimp should have the following characteristics:
Firm connection between the terminal and the wire: The crimp should ensure a tight and secure connection between the metal terminal and the stripped wire. The terminal's tangs (the metal parts that grip the wire) should firmly hold the wire in place without any looseness. This is essential for a reliable electrical connection and to prevent the wire from easily pulling out of the terminal.
Even compression of the terminal: The crimping process should compress the terminal evenly around the circumference of the wire. This means that the pressure applied during crimping is distributed uniformly, resulting in a consistent and symmetrical shape of the crimped area. An uneven crimp could lead to weak points in the connection or improper electrical conductivity.
Properly seated wire seal (if applicable): In many Weather Pack connectors, there is a wire seal that provides additional protection against moisture and contaminants. In a proper crimp, the wire seal should be correctly positioned and compressed between the terminal and the wire's insulation. The smaller portion of the seal should be inside the tangs of the terminal, and once crimped, the seal should be held tightly to ensure a watertight and dustproof connection.
Intact terminal and wire: Both the terminal and the wire should not show any signs of damage after crimping. The terminal should not be deformed, cracked, or have its plating damaged. The wire should also not have any nicks, cuts, or fraying at the crimped area that could affect the integrity of the connection.
Correct crimping tool marks: If using a proper crimping tool, there should be distinct marks on the terminal indicating that the tool has applied the correct amount of pressure. These marks should be consistent and show that the crimping tool's jaws have properly engaged the terminal to achieve a reliable crimp.
